Dancing in the Street of Oyster Bay

Once the home of Theodore Roosevelt, Historic Oyster Bay is a nice place to visit at any time, with a mix of turn-of–the-20th century, colonial era and other historic sites. But what happens Friday evenings in July & August will have you literally kicking up your heels.

Every Friday night in July, weather permitting, the Oyster Bay Main Street Association closes off Audrey Avenue in front of Town Hall (in between Shore Road and Audrey Extension), hires a DJ, and has half the town (and visitors) dancing in the street from 7 to 9 pm.

Whether you dance or not (and especially for the “nots”) this is non-judgmental fun. Dancers of all ages, skills, and styles are welcome, and DJs/instructors will teach you the steps. It’s like a ginormous free dance lesson.

Of course, dancing isn’t all there is to do in and around Oyster Bay. The most famous attraction is Teddy Roosevelt’s estate at Sagamore Hill, which just reopened after extensive renovations (20 Sagamore Hill Road; 516-922 4748; https://www.nps.gov/sahi/index.htm) and the gorgeous Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park, a former Gold Coast estate that is now Long Island’s premier public garden. (1395 Planting Fields Road; 516 922 9200; www.plantingfields.org).